Roller type sonic generator



Alg- 19, 1952 GOC. sEAvEY ET A1. 2,607,568

ROLLER TYPE SONIC GENERATOR,l

Filed Aug. 16, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 19, 1952 G. c. sEAvEY ETAL 2,607,568

ROLLER TYPE SONIC GENERATOR Filed Aug. 16, 1950 y 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fm1/en tors;

Gordon CY. ,Sear/gy,

l a/bertorz .Jansley,

mfg.

G. C. SEAVEY TAL ROLLER TYPE SONIC GENERATOR Aug. 19, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 l Filed Aug. 16, 1950 fzz/emtors gl vm.

erarz G. c. sEAvEY ETAL ROLLER TYPE SONIC GENERATOR Aug. 19, 1952 5 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Aug. 16, 1950 [IIIA:

Patented ug. 19,.. v1952 .ROLLER TYBE .soNIaoENEnAToR doraonffofseavey, Arlington#anaf'foapeptonr. JHo-sley,-Boston,f Mass., assignorsAdf'fSonicQRe- 1 seaelrlcorporation; BostomaMasai a memora- ;':;tion.lofiMassachusetts f .219 olaims.

...1 Y f This invention drelates* toimprovementshin sound generating equipment. More particularly it js" concerned with: a-` new" andY improved44 generator 'giorV ,"produ'cing feriti-relyl -by mechanical 'means jsound-"Waves "of 'greatintensityL andv at arfrequency.A whichl may heivariedxcver `a'n'vide range, `inclu-'ding Very high@ frequencies.

"This is .a iontinu'ationimpart 'ofouriabandonedapplication, Serial'No..12.3,'1l2,`filedjOotober '1. Sound. waves, both within, and above :the audible range are'gknown :tor be useful in aiectingllthe characteristics ofyA variousj materials and .such effects have frequentlyjbeen demonstrated'. ,experimentally. .Thus .certain Tfhernic'al' reactions have. been a ccelerated under the influence fof sonic' irradiation, 'yarious emulsions, 'of normally immis'oibl'e., substances have ,been j prepared; the rate. .of mbacterijaLl growth; injiluid4v cultures" has been materially affected, particles in uidsuspensions have been .coagulated land many. other applications ...have .been ....found. Ellrthermore,

sound waves .are ...use fulginigthe .analysis .off the inner vstructure .ofhlodes Joy. reiiection techniques; itinaybeextended tasa-.called seismiciprospecting., forunderground. .deposits...of `oil. or.. other minerals. i

'Lv/While. these various.- phenomenalhave ...been known .'for, .some `time, generally. speaknglthere hasfibeen little,.or..no. development, on .aecommercial scalel. becauserof. the, nl'lerent. limitations in.the-soundproducingequipment,hithertoavailable. Prior.. attempts togener'atevibratoryiorces farine rrnirposes,..outlined above.have .beenrom lined fo'ri.the.most.pa'rt to..the..u'se...onpiezoelectric or .Y magnetostrictive. .equipment .Such ...devices are. limitedintheir available `power bythetendency of ...the .vibratinge1ements....t'o iracture,..-at high` sonnd-:pressure- .levelsfandrbya the `relatively loweiiieiency yofy conversion-.,.of... electrical., into acoustical i power.

The... principal object of; the-.present .invention is to lprovuie--a devicegfor producingA` soundwaves entirely.- luy-:mechanical .Ymeanslwhichfis :capable ofv producing-high, acoustic.- output. .at geom-.efciency; fand.. .Which-:isfv :at .the-z same... time rugged andfeconomicalin:itsmonstruction;androneration.

Another .object:of'thefinvention-yis. .tol Aprovide: soundgenerating equipmentwfon the... so.nic treatment of.. .various materials,... the. .equipment being y capable of handlingfrelativelyflarge;amounts of. suchmateralsin anieicientimanner.

Still another "..Objechof fthe invention" is' to provide a' sonic generator capable .of i delivering great Vacoustic 'power .throughout a considerable range ,ofvfrequencies According to -the invention'we provide Va-'x'oller bearingvv A`'assembly' i k1for -producingi lthe desired vibrations. A row of uniform approximately equ`allyyspaced mrollersi 4is- -compressively-` maintai-ned betweena-'rotatingf and .anonrotating @roller cally-varying#resiliency to l:the irollers. yso that,

'duel f toV4 "the/f compressive for-ce exerted*v`l one'ithe of high resistance to a lower/resistan'cethe two Vraceswvillapproach andmecede-'from one-another 'tion. 1=The-- vilo-rations ft-nus( 'producedmmaybe transmitted to the materialf oxwloody' undergoing `treatmentfcor Linvestigation.

Wehave, found vthat afsuita'lfrle.ira-ce`A forming vsuch a snrface pfivaryingmesiliency*for*the rotating ;ro'llersmay'conveniently bef providedin a niirnlcerofk ways. -In-one form ofthe-'invention one race, constitutesanother ro-W of rollers sep'- aratediirorrr *the* rst row by-i a? thin resilient shim. The moving' rollersycompressively 'engage the shim surfacaand; duringpperationthe rollers of one 'set .will-move alternatelyinto." and outi of alignment with Vvcorre sponcling rollers of the 'other set. j During intervals Whenthe;rollers are :out of alignment Mthe intermediate race "exes slightly. then recovers when the.. ro1lers...be9me realignedthe races arethus .CallSEdto approach and recedeJromv one another periodically.

l .I.r1.-.a110ther':;for.m. ofthe' invention'. ihemoller engaging .Snrfaceofvaryng.resilencyjsformed by;provdingiaeres ioirgrooves .111'..Qne ...fgthe races superimposed on which is a thinQre'silient shim. ...As the moving rollers. pass ..qnr ositethe grooves. lthe.' .shimz will' .flex. sliglit1y,recovrng .Whenfthe rollers. passopposite ihainterva' loetween the, grooyes. ilibrations are producedaas before.

"In's'till another form 'oilthe inventionin place l Y brations. 'lhusuthefrollers .whichimayfbe cylinvenientto'` dispose thef'rollers in acirclefabout a,

,of rollers;

disc-shaped member, the axes of the rollers being parallel lto the axis of the disc and rolling on the outer surface thereof and engaged by a concentric outer race. In this case the acoustic energy is generated in a radial fashion.

Further objects, advantages and features ofv the invention will become apparent from the fol-` fer to like parts in the several views and in which: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of one form of sound generating'mechanism of the invention including a dual roller assembly; i

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. l with rthe upper oscillating section having been removed therefrom to disclose the upper` row Fig 3 isa vertical cross-sectionalviewof another form of generator accordingy to theinvention, further illustrating. a d ierent arrangement ,for a dualrdller assenlblr:V ..1 f

Fig. 4A is` a detail lplan cross-sectionon line l'II-FI! of Fig.v 3 fragmentarily indicating a section of theroller structure and retaining races;

Fig. 5 isa cross-sectional View similar toFig.A 1 of a modified form of the invention employing a single row of rollers ;A

Fig. 6 is a plan view similar to Fig. 2`of thc structure shown in Fig. 5;.

Fig. 'l is a'fragmentarysection online 'I-I of Fig. 6 showing Ythe roller and shim, sound generating means of the device shown in Figs. 5 and; f

'Fig 8 is a fragmentary detail view similar to Fig. 7 of a modified roller assembly which may be substituted for that shown in Fig. 5;

.'Fig. 9 is a sectional view of still another modiiication of the invention, resembling that shown in Fig. 3, but in which the sound waves are generated and'radiated outwardly in a' radial pattem; *l

' Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectiontaken online 'IU-Iof Fig. 9;` and 'Y YFig.`1l'is a fragmentary sectional view of a modification of the apparatus of Fig. 9 in which the resilient roller engaging surface is provided by'employing a series of grooves beneatha resilient shim. l Y

In the assembly shown in Figs. 1 to 4, two rows of approximately equally spaced uniform rollers are compressively maintained between a rotating roller race and a non-rotating roller race., The two rows of rollers are, in addition, separated-by means of a thin resilient intermediate race or shim. The number of rollers in one row is equalv to, or may be an integral multiple ber in the other row. f Y

With the arrangement described, operation of the rotating roller raceinduces movement of the rollers in a manner such that the rollersy in one of the numrow are constantly moved into and out of align` 4 may constitute all or a portion of the radiating surface. l .i Thus in Figs. 1 and 2;.a multiple roller arrangement is illustrated, consisting of a lower row of rollers I0, an upper row of rollers I2, equal in Anumber to those in the lower row, and a thin resilient intermediate shim 22. This assembly is held compressively between the rotating race I4 and the non-rotating race 24. This upper race 24 has a relatively thin circumferential flange extension which upon assembly is deformed and forced .into contact with the housing 28 by retaining bolts 26, thereby applying compressive force .to the roller assembly which is prevented from axial movement under this force by ball bearings. 30, located between the inner face of raceI and the housing 28.

Secured adjacent and in spaced-.relation to the roller race 24 is a closure 32 arranged to provide a treating chamber'ffor holding .fluid bodies in contact with the outer face ofthe non-rotating race 2li which constitutes the radiating surface. In some instances it may be desired to employ the multiple roller assembly without a closed chamber such as is formed by the member 32, in which case the surface of the non-rotating race member' is Ybrought directly into Contact with the material or body which is to receive the sound vor vibration. In other instances, the oscillations of the non-rotating race may not act directly on the material to be subjected to sound or-vibration, but maybe transmitted through asuitable mechanism to actuate either a radiating or. material treating surface, or a resonant system of which vthe radiating or material treating surface isaportion.,

In the operation of the device described, the motor 2D turns the shaft TIB and thelower' race I4, thus causing rolling movement of the lower set of rollers I0 between thej'race'i# andgthe'in-` vtermediate shim '22. lSince relative movement between the rows of rollers takes placeyeach roller of one row alternately moves into and out of axial alignment with an adjacent rollervof the opposite row. Since the rollers are under'compression by reason of the construction described,

the mechanism expands and contracts axially during the period lwhen the rollers move froma position of axial alignment to a position of non-l wardly into the treatingvchamber or into any other body in contact with the member 24.

An alternate arrangement of multiple rollers has been illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, invwhich an inner row,` of rollers 4 0 v is arranged, coaxially around to `bear against an inner cylindrical race member s2 xed to a shaft IM.'A The shaftis adapted to be rotated by somesuitable means such as an electric motor (not'shown). yAn intermediate resilient race 46 surrounds the rollers 4B. Also bearing against the intermediate shim 46 is anouter row of rollers 48 which lie in contact with a cylindrical outer race llwlilchris so dimensioned that its( bore, in the vunstressed condition, is slightly smallerthan the outside diameter of the outer row of rollers 48.. Thus when the outer row is assembled by shrinking .over rollers 48, it is in a state of tension and exertsa compressive force against the inner elementsvof the assembly. In this case the outer surface of race 50 constitutes the Ysurface for radiating sound.

The shaft 44 is supported in a housing which includes a bottom section 52, an intermediate body portion 54, and cover sections 56 land 51.

The intermediate portion 54 is recessed to form rotated, causing the two sets of rollers to move into and out of radial alignment, thus causing thev outer race 58 to expand and contract periodically. rhe Waves generatedby the oscillations of the outer race in this case-pass radially outwardly into the container chamber 58.

Another ,form of the invention is shown in Figs. 5 to 7,- Where thereA is disclosed -a rotating race member 18 with a shaft extension 12 which rotates in a sleeve bearing 74 in housing 18. A row of ball bearings flpermits the rotating race member to rotate in spaced relation to the housing 16.

As best-seen in Fig. '7, the annular surface of the 'rotating race member 10 is interrupted by a series of radial grooves 82, regularly spaced around the surface 88. Resting on this interrupted -annular surface 8i) is. a thin resilient shim 84, on which there is located a row of tapered rollers 86. This assembly is held compressively against the rotating race member 18 by the stationary race member 88, which also serves -to locate the shim 84 and rollers 86 radially, by means of annular ribs .98 and 92.

The stationary race member 88 has a relatively thin circumferential iiange portion which is deformed-upon assembly, and secured against the housing 'Hi` by conventional means. The rotating race member 10 is restrained from axial movement toward housing 16 by ball bearings '18. The xed race member' is recessed to receive the upper end of the drive shaft 12, which slides ina sleeve bearing 94.

Secured to the housing 16 is a container 96 which may serve to hold fluid bodies in contact with the outer surface of the race member 88, from which sound is radiated. A motor 98 is coupled'to the shaft extension 12, and supplies motivevpower to the rotating race member 10.

In operation, as the rotating race member 10 is driven by the motor 98, vthe tapered rollers 86 are caused to roll alongv the resilient annular shim 84. Whenever the lines of contact of the rollers are opposite the radial grooves 82, the shim will deect slightly, as shown more clearly in the enlarged detail of Fig. 7. The fixed race member 88, which is compressivelyv held against the rollers-86, is therebycaused to approach and recede from the rotating race 18 at a frequency determined by the speed of rotation of the rotating race 70, the spacing-of the grooves 82, and the number and size of the rollers 88. The outer surface of the fixed race member 88 then radiates these oscillations into the fluid body in the container 98. Y Y

Alternatively, the container 9B may be dispensed with and the radiating surface of race member 88 may be brought directly into contact with the body to be affected. Such .a procedure would be useful, forY example, indirecting theA periodically varying resiliency., The. surface yis more .easily deflected Vvvhenpthe Arollers 86 are.

directly' opposite the grooves 82'than.when they-f.'

are opposite the .peaks of surfaceV 8|). As. ythe rollers 861 travel over the surface of varying resiliency presented by the shim 84, `they :are caused to oscillate, while so travelling, in a directionv parallel to the main axis of the mechanism, Athat is,r the axis of the drive shaft '12. of this oscillation, which is transmitted to the radiating surface of the race 88, may be changed by varying the speed of rotation of the race `"Hl, or the spacing of the grooves 82'. The'amplitude of the oscillationsl may be altered by changing the f cross-sectional shape of the grooves 82; for vexample, if the .peaks of the surfacet were pointed, 1 instead of rounded as in Fig. 7, the deiiections centers, as would be the case if the shirnl84 were resting on a second row of similar rollers, for

example, as in the embodiments of Figs. 1 -to 4;

The spacing of the grooves may, of coursepbe changed to give any desirable frequency multiplication Without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

It rshould be pointed out here that one advantage of this type of construction including the` resilient Shim lies in the fact that the rollers travelover a continuous surface, rather than an interrupted surface which is prone to wear.

ing resiliency of our invention are in keeping with our object .to provide equipment which is -rela'- tively simpleand economical in its construction.

An alternative arrangement for forming asurface of periodically varying resiliency is shown-in the detailed view, Fig. 8, where the rollers 88 are compressively maintained against the surface 88a*- of the rotating race member 18, and there is no thin shim. A regularly spaced series of cavities |00 lies closely under the surface 80a, and as the points of contact of the rollers pass abovethe holes |88, the surface deects slightly as the holes distort. periodically varying resilience as the rollers travel on it, and oscillatory motion is imparted by the rollers to the race member 88 as before. f

Although the cavities as illustrated inFig. `8

are circular in cross-section, the inventionis notv limited in scope to this type of construction. 'It 3 may be desirable to employ holes of non-'cingularH cross-section in orderto bring about deflections of a particular type which would result in thek production of harmonics in the generated-sound Waves.

Any of the arrangements just described-may be, used in the sound generating device kof Figs. 5

and 6, or, alternatively,these arrangements may `be used in a Sound generator lof the type shown-k in Figs. 9 andlohaving a row of rollers .disposed to roll on the periphery of a circularrace member and having their axes parallel to theaxisoffthe i drive shaft.

In the generator of Fig. which may, for, ex- A ample, be immersed in anextendedfluid body,xa

rotating circular race member .|02 is `carried on shaft |04, which turns in a `sleeve bearing..;|05 glgatedin the rhousing.,|08.. The shaftis 11e-f The frequencyl This t and other forms of a surface of periodically vary- Thus the surface a, presents f Y parting from the spirit of the invention.l

Havingthus described our invention,V what weV strainedfrom endwisemotion by a', shoulder anda lockwasher I l2 on the shaft.

Disposed about the periphery of the rotating race |02 is a row of cylindrical rollers H5 held in place b-yxiianges ||6 on the race |2. assembly is compressively 'maintained inside the cylindrical bearing surfaceV H8, as more clearly shown in the cross-sectional view, Fig. 10, taken along the line i--l of Fig. 9.

The housing |88 is closed at its bottom end with a cover |28 attached to a flange |22 with bolts |24. The shaft lcd may be driven in any suitable manner, as by, an electric motor. The

generator may be mounted on any suitable framework by attachment to the upper ange |26.

In operation of this embodiment of our invention, as the rotating race member |52 rotates, the row of rollers |14 is caused to roll over the bearingsurface H8, which is a surface having periodically varying resiliency along its extent. The-outer surface of the housing H38 is thus caused to expandand contract radially as the device operates, and sound Waves are radiated in a radial pattern into the surroundings, which may be a uid in which the unit is immersed.

Fig. 10 illustrates the details of construction of the assembly of rollers and bearing surface in the device of Fig-9 and corresponds to the embodiment of Fig. 8 showing one type of bearing surface of periodically varying resiliency as used in connection with the generator of Figs.. and 6. The outer race IBB is provided with a series of cavities Hwa Vjust beneath its roller contacting surface ||8. As previously explained in connection with Fig. 8, the openings lima weaken the roller engaging surface periodically, thus creating asurface of periodically varying resiliency for producing radially directed vibrations with movement of the rollers over such surface. Y

Alternatively, in this embodiment, the rollers ||4 may travel on the inner surface oi housing |98, as shown in Fig. 11, being restrained by ribs |28 andthe bearing surface |3U, of periodically This i varying` resiliency, may be formed on the rotat- Y ing race member |62. In such a case, the peripheryof the rotating race member |02 would be formed as a surface of periodically Vvarying resiliency in accordance with either of the schemes illustrated by Figs. 7 and 8, for example. As

` shown it has a shim 84a shrunk over a series of simple and economical of construction, and capable of rugged use in practical industrial applications. Changes in the details of construction of the generators, to make them more suitable for specii'ic'applications, may occur to those skilledV in the art, and may be resorted to without cle-1VV claim andfrdesire to secure by Letters Patent is;

v1. Infa sonic generator a roller bearing assembly for producing vibrations, which comprises a one is rotatable relative to the other,said mem-f" bers having portions providing mutually facing` plain bearing surfaces which define a circular path therebetween, at least one of said portions being composed at leastvin part of a layer of r-esilient material a surface of which constitutes one of said bearing surfaces, a row of regularly spaced rollers held between said members in said path for rolling on said surfaces actuated by the relative movement of said members, means for yieldingly pressing at least one of said members toward the other member for exerting pressure on said rollers between said surfaces and at least one of said members being mounted in said assembly so as to have at least portions. thereof movable toward and away from the other member, and means providing a series kof supports immediately adjacent said layer opposite its bearing surface for iniiexibly supporting the same only at regularly spacedv intervals so that the unsupported portions of said layer will flex under the pressure of said rollers, thefmutual spacing of said rollers and of said supports being so chosen that during operation of said assembly said rollers vwill be all opposite at least some of said supports at once and all opposite at least some of said unsupported portions at once,y in alternation,

thereby causing periodic alternate iierzing and recoveryof said unsupported portions of said layer and corresponding vibration of the movable member toward and away from the other member at a frequency determined by the peripheral speed-oi' said rollers and the mutual spacing of said supports.

2. In a sonic generator a roller bearing assembly for producing vibrations, which comprises a pair of spaced coaxial members so mounted that one is rotatable relative to the other, said members having mutually facing portions having plain bearing surfaces which define a circular path therebetween, a row of regularly spaced rollers held between said members in said path for rolling on said surfaces actuated by the relative movement of said members, one of said members comprising a thin resilient shim, `means for yield- 'l ingly pressing at least one ofV said members V,toward the other memberfor exerting pressurev on said rollers between said'surfaces and at least one of said Vmembers being mounted in said assembly so as to have at least portions thereof movable toward and away from the othery member, and means providing a series of supports immediately `adjacent said shim opposite its bearing surface for inflexibly supporting the same only atregularly spaced intervals so that the unsupported portions of said shim will flex under the pressure of said rollers, the mutual spacing of said rollers and of said supports being so chosen that duringV operation of Vsaid assembly said Yrollers will be all opposite at least some of said supports at once and all opposite at least some of said unsupported portions at once, in alternation, thereby causing periodic alternate flexing and recovery of said unsupported portions of said shim and corresponding vibration of the movable member toward and away from the other member at a frequency determinedby the peripheral' speed of said rollers and the mutual spacing'of said supports.

3. Inra sonic-generator aV roller bearing assembly for producing vibrations, which kcom-f.

prises a pair Yof spaced coaxial members .so

mounted that one is rotatable relative to the; other, said members having portions providing; mutually facing plain bearing surfaces which dene'a circular path therebetween, two rows of regularly spaced rollers and a thin resilient shim held between said members and in said path, said rows of rollers `being separated from each other by-said shim and one row of rollers engagfing each bearing surface for rolling thereon actuated by the relative vmovement of said members, and means for yieldingly pressing atleast one of said members toward the other member for exerting pressure on said rollers between said surfaces and at least one of said members being .row at once and `all opposite at least some of the intervals between rollers of said other row at once, in alternation, therebycausing lperiodic: alternate flexing and recovery of the portions of said shim opposite said intervals and correlsponding.vibration of said movable member towardy and away from the other member at a frequency determined by the mutual spacing and lrelative peripheral speed of said rollers.

- 4,;'In a sonic generator a roller bearing assembly for producing vibrations, which comprises a vpair of spaced coaxial -members so mounted that one is rotatably stationary and the other is rotatable relative thereto, said members having portions providing mutually facing plain bearing surfaces which kdefine a circular path therebetween, two rows of regularly -spaced rollers and a thin resilient shim held` belpermitting limited movement thereof toward and laway from the other member, the size and mutual spacing of the rollers of each row being so chosen that during operation of said assembly thevrollers of one row will be all opposite at least some of the rollers of the other row at once and all opposite at least some of the intervals between rollers 'of said other row at once, in alternation, thereby causingV periodic alternate flexing and recovery Aof the portions of said shim opposite said intervals and corresponding vibration of' said rotatably stationary member toward and away from the other member at a frequencydetermined by the mutual spacing and `relative peripheral speed. of said rollers.

5. In a sonic generator a roller bearing asi sembly for producing vibrations, which comprises a' pair vof spaced coaxial members so mounted that'orie is rotatable relative to the other, said lrnerx'iber's having portions providing mutually 'facing surfaces one of which constitutes a plain bearing surface, 'said surfaces defining a circular path" therebetween,- a row of regularly spaced rollers and a. thin resilient shim held between said. members 'and in said path, said rollers rolling on said bearing surface'and on one side of saidv shimk actuated by the relative movement of sa-id membersV and being separated from said other surface by said shim, and means for yieldingly pressing. at least one of said members to- Wa-rdthe otherjmember for exerting pressure on said rollers and shim between said surfacesand at least one of said members being Vinounted.

said assembly so as to" be movable toward and away from the other member, the one of said surfaces adjacent said shim being provided with a series of regularly spaced grooves so that the portions of said shim opposite said grooves will Vflex under the pressure of said rollers, thevsize Y and mutual spacing of said rollersv andof said grooves being so chosen that during operation of said assembly saidrollers will be all opposite at least some fof said grooves at once and all opposite` atleastfsome of the intervalsbetween said grooves at once, inalternation, thereby causing periodic alternatefexing and lrecovery of the portions of said shim oppositel said grooves and corresponding vibration of Ysaid movable member toward-and away from the other member at aA .frequency determined by the peripheral speed of said rollers and the mutual spacing of f said grooves.

6. I n a sonic generatorY a roller bearing assemblyforproducing vibrations, which comprises a pair of spaced coaxial members so mounted thatone is rotatably stationary and theother is rotatable relative thereto, said members having .portions providing mutually facing surfaces one of which constitutes a plain bearing surface, said surfaces d ening a circular path therebetween, a row of regularly spaced rollers. and a A thin resilient shim held between said members and in said path, said rollers rolling, onsaid'bearing surface and on one side of .said Vshim lactuated by the movement of said rotatablemember and being separated from said other surface by said shim, and means for yieldingly pressing said rotatably stationary member toward the other member for exerting pressure on said rollers-and shim between said surfaces and permitting limited movement thereof ltoward and away from said other member, the oneof saidsurfacesadjacent said shim being provided with a series of regularly spaced grooves so that the portions of Isaid shim opposite said grooves will flex(A under the Apressure ofl said "rollers, the size and mutual spacing of said rollersand of said grooves being so chosen that during operation of said assembly said rollers will be all oppositev at least some of said grooves at once and all opposite at -leastsome of lthe intervals between said grooves at once, in alterna-tion, thereby causing periodicalternate flexing and recovery Yof the portions of said shim opposite said grooves andcorresponding vibrationof said rotatably stationary member toward and away from said rotatable member at a 4frequency determined by the lperipheral speed ofsaid rollers and the mutualv spacing of said grooves.

v 7. vIn a sonic generator a roller bearingassembly for Yproducing vibrations, which comprises a pair of spaced coaxial members so mounted that one is rotatable relative tothe other, said members having portions providing mutually facing plain bearing surfaces Whichdefine a"circular path therebetween, atrleastfone of said members being mounted in said assembly so as to be movable toward and away from the other member, a row of regularly spaced rollers held betweensaid members in said path for rolling on said surfaces actuated by the relative movement of saidmembers, and means for yieldingly pressing at-least one of said members toward the other Vmember for exerting pressure on said rollers between `said surfaces, atleast one of said portions being composed at least in part of a layer of resilientmaterial a surface `of which constitutesr one of-said `bearingsurfacesand having a series of regularly spaced cavities immediately beneath saidl'ayer so that the portions of said ilayer oppositejsaid lopposite at least some of said cavities at once and all opposite atleast some of the intervals between saidV cavities` at once, in alternation, thereby causing periodicalternate flexing and recovery ofsaid portions of said layer opposite said cavities vand corresponding vibration of said movable member toward and` away from the other member ata frequency determined by the periph- ,eral'speed of said rollers and the mutual spacing of said cavities.

8. In a sonic generator a roller bearing assembly 'for producing vibrations, which comprises a casing, at least two coaxial circular platelike members axially spaced from each other mounted Y in said casing so that one will be rotatablerrelativeto the other, said members having portions providing Ymutually facing plain bearingsurfaces extending in directions rtransverse oi the commony axis yand defining'a circular path therebetween,

at least one of said portions beingcomposed at least in part of a layer of resilient material a surface of which constitutes one of said bearing y'surfaces, a row'of regularly 'spaced rollers h-eld between said members and in said path forrolling onsaid surfaces Vactuated vby the relative movement of said members, 'resilient mountings holding one of said members in' saidcasing for limited movement an axial direction toward and awayfrom the other member vand for exertlingrr pressure on said rollers between Vsaid bearing surfaces,v and means providing a series of supports immediately adjacent said layer opposite its bearing surface for inflexibly supporting the same only at regularly spaced intervals so that the unsupported portions of said layer will flex under j the pressure of said rollers, the mutual spacing of said roll-ersand of said supports being so chosen that during operation of said assembly said'rollers `will be all opposite at least some of said supports at oncer and all opposite at least some kof Asaid unsupported portionsVV at once, in alternation, thereby causing periodic alternate flexing andrecovery of said unsupported portions of said layer Yand corresponding vibration of said movablel member toward and away from the other member a lat a frequency determined by the peripheral speed of saidrollers and the mutual spacing of said supports.

9. In a sonic generatora roller bearing assembly for producing vibrations, which comprises a` casing, at least vtwo coaxial circular plate-like members axially spaced from each other mounted in'said casing'so that one willbe rotatable relative to the other, said members having portions providing mutually facing plain bearing surfacesl Aextending in directions transverse ofthe common axis Yand deningfaA circular path therebetween,

'-vin an axial direction toward and away from the other memberandfor exerting pressure on'said rollersbetween said surfaces,- andA means providing a series of supports immediately adjacent said shim4 opposite its bearing surface for inexibly supporting the same only at regularly spaced intervals so that the unsupported portions of said l2 shim will flex under the pressure of Vsaid rollers, thesize and mutual spacing or" said rollers being so chosen Vwith reference to the' spacing of said supports that during operation of said assembly saidv rollers Vwill be all opposite at least some of said supports at once and all opposite at least some of rsaid unsupported portionsl at once, in alternation, thereby causing periodic alternate flexing and recovery of said unsupported portions of said shim and corresponding vibration of said movable member toward and away from the other member at a frequency determined by the peripheral speed of said rollers and the mutual spacing of said supports.

10. In a sonic generator a bly for producing vibrations, which comprisesa casing, at least two coaxial circularplate-like members axially spaced from each other mounted in said casing so that one will be rotatablerelative to the other, said members having portions providing mutually facing plain bearing surfaces extending in directions transverse of the common axis and dening a 'circular path therebetween, two rows of regularly spaced rollers and a thin resilient shim held between said members and in said path, said rows of rollers being separated from each other by said shim and one row of rollersengaging each bearing surface for rolling thereon actuated by the relative vmovement of said members, and means for yieldingly pressing at least one of said members toward the other member While permitting limited axial movement thereof toward and away from the other member for exerting pressure on said rollers and shim between said surfaces, the size and Vmutual spacing of the rollers of each row being so chosen that during operationA of said assembly the rollers 'of one row will be all opposite at least some of the rollers' of the other row at once and all opposite at least some of the intervals between rollers of said other row at once, inalternation, thereb7 causing periodic alternate flexing and recovery'of the portions of said shim opposite saidy intervals and corresponding vibration of said axially movable 'member toward Vand away from the other members at a frequency determined' by the mutual spacing and relative peripheral speed of said rollers.

ll. In a sonicgenerator a roller bearing assembly for producing vibrations, which comprises a casing, at least two coaxial' circular plate-like members axially spaced from each other mounted in said casing so that one will be' rotatable relative to the other, said members having portions providing mutually facing plain bearing surfaces extending in directions transverse of the common axis and defining a circular path therebetween,

- ytwo rows of regularly 'spaced rollers andvathin resilient shim held between said members and in from the other of said members and for exerting pressure on said rollers and shim betweensa'id bearing surfaces, the size and mutual spacing of the rollers of each row being so chosen that duringoperationof said assemblythe rollers of'one row will be all opposite-at least someof the rollers of the other row at onceand all opposite at least some of the intervals between rollers of said other row at once, in alternation, thereby causing periroller bearing assemaccuses `odio alternate flexing vand .recovery of the portions' of' said shim Aopposite said intervals and corresponding 'vibration of said axially movable member toward and away from. the other members at a frequency determined by the mutual spacing and relative peripheral'. speed of 'said rollers.

12..' In a. sonic generator a roller .bearing assembly for 'producing vibrations, which. comprisesv a generallyy cylindrical casing, a rpair of coaxial circular plate-like members axially spaced from each vother mounted within said casing., rone of said!v members being rotatable-and the other of V.said members being :rotatably stationary and having: ia.. radially .extending resilient flange by whiehit is heldto saidrcasing,said4 flange. 4permitting limited vibratory movement thereof in anaxial direction andurgin'g the same toward theY other member, said membershaving portions 'providing mutually facing plain .bearing vsurfaces said Hange; Asaidrofws of rollers beingseparated from each other by said shim and one. row of rollers engaging each bearing. surface for rolling thereon. actuated by the movement of :said rotat- 1 able member, the size and mutual spacing of the rollers of each row being so chosenthat. during rotation of said rotatable member the rollers of Aone row ywill be all opposite at least some of the rollers ofthe other row at once andall opposite at least some oi the intervals between rollers of .said other row at oneein alternation, thereby fcausing periodic alternate flexing and recovery ofthe portions of .said shim opposite said intervals: and corresponding vibration of said rotatably stationary member toward and away from the other member at a frequency determined by y the mutual spacing and relative peripheral speed vof said rollers, the face of said rotatably stationary member away from said rollers. constituting a. vibratingsurface.

13. In a sonic generator a rollerbearing assembly for. producing vibrations, which comprises aacasing, at least two coaxial circular plate-like members axially Vspaced from each other mounted in said casing so that one will be rotatable rela- -tive to' the' other, said members having portions providing mutually facing plain bearing surfaces extending in 'directions transverse of theicommon axis and deiining av circular path therebetween, -two rows lof regularly spaced .rollers and athin resilient shim .held between said lmembers-.and

in said' path, said rows of rollers being uniformly tapered and having their smaller ends extending that during operation of said assembly the rollers of one row will be all opposite at least some of the rollers of the other row at once and all opposite at least some of the intervals between roller-s of said other row at once, in alternation, thereby causing periodic alternate flexing and recovery of theportions of said shim opposite said inter-v spacing and relative vals. and correspondingvibration of' saidaxially movable member toward -and away from-the other member at afrequency 'determined by the mutual peripheral speed `of said rollers..

14` In a Sonic generator .a roller bearing assemblyforproducing vibrations', which comprises a. casing, at least two coaxial 'circularplate-like membersl axially spaced' from each other mounted within said casing, oneof said members being 'rotatable and the other of said members being 'rotatablystationary said members having portions` providing mutually facing plain r.bear-ing surfaces extending indirections transverse ofthe common axis anddening a circular Vpath therel between, a row of regular-ly spaced rollers: :held

lbetween said' members in said path for v.rolling on said surfaces actuated by the rotation of said rotatable member, .said rotatable. member comprising a thin resilient shim', the. other vof said members having a. 'radiallyA extending .'resilient Bange holding 4it in said casing for limited Inovefmen't in an .axial directiontoward vandl away from said shim vand for exerting pressure on said rollvers and shim, and means providing a series lof supports immediately adjacentsaid shim opposite its bearing surface for inflexblysupporting the Jsam'e only at regularly spaced vintervalsso 'that the unsupported portions of said. shim will ilexrunder thepressure cfsaid rollers,v theV size and mutual spacing of said rollers being vso chosen with reference to the spacingv offsaid `supports that during operation of said assembly said rollers will be all opposite at least some of said supports atonce and all opposite .at least somefof said unsupported portions at once, in alternation, lthereby causing periodic alternate flexing and irecovery ofy said unsupportedv portions of said shim and corresponding vibration' of said axially movable member toward and away from said shim at a frequency determined by the peripheral speed of said rollers and the mutual spacing of ysaid supports.

15. In a sonic generator a roller bearing Iassembly for producing vibrations, which'comprises inner and outer concentric membersmounted'so that one will be rotatable relative to the' other, said members having portions providing mutually facing plain bearing surfaces deii'ning a circular path therebetween, a row of regularly spaced rollers held between said'members and insaid path for rolling on said surfaces actuated by the relative movement of said rollers, means' for yieldingly pressing one of said members radially toward the other member for exerting pressure on said rollers between said bearing surfaces and permitting limited expansion and contractionof the member so pressed in aradial direction toward and away from lthe other member and at least one of said portions being composedat least in part of a layer of resilient material a 'surface of which constitutes one of said bearing surfaces,

` and means providing a series of supports immediwill bejallk opposite at least some of said supports at` once and all opposite. at least some ofsaid unsupported portions .at once, in alternation, thereby causing periodic" alternate flexing and recovery of said unsupported portions of said layer and 1 5 corresponding vibratory radial contraction and expansion of'said radially pressed member toward and away from the other member at a frequency determined by the peripheral speed of said rollers ksaid members andV in said path for rolling on said surfaces actuated by the relative move- 'ment of said rollers, one of said members compri'sing 4a thin resilient shim, means for yieldingly' pressing one of said members radially toward the other member for exerting pressure on said rollers between said vbearing surfaces .and permitting-limited expansion and contraction thereof in a radial direction toward and away from said other member, and means providing a series of supports immediately adjacent `said `shim opposite its bearing surface for inflexibly supporting the same only at regularly spaced intervals so that the unsupported portions of said shim willv ilex'under the pressure of said rollers, the size'and mutual spacing of said rollersand of said supports being so chosen that during 'operation of said assembly said .rollers will be all opposite at least some of said supports at once and all opposite at leastsome 'of said unsupported portions at once, in alternation, `thereby causing periodic alternate flexingfand 'recovery-of saidunsupported portions of said shim andcorresponding vibratory radial contraction and expansion of said radially pressed member toward and away from the other member at a frequency determined by the peripheral speed of said'rollers and the mutual Spacing of said supports.

17. In a sonic generator a roller bearing assembly for producing vibrations, which comvprises vinner and outer concentric members so mounted that one will be rotatable relative to the other, said members having portions providing mutually facing bearing surfaces which define a circular path therebetween, and two rows of regularly spaced rollers and a thin resilient shim held between said members and in said path, said rows of rollers being separated Yfrom each other by said shim and one row of rollers engaging each bearing surface for rolling thereon actuated by the relative movement of said members, one of said members being resilient for limited expansion and contraction in a radial direction toward and away from the other member and for exerting pressure on said rollers and shim between said bearing surfaces,

thel size and mutual spacing of the rollers of each row being so chosen that during operation Aof said assembly the rollers of one row will be all opposite at least some ofthe rollers of the other row at once and all opposite at least some of the intervals between rollers of said other row .at once, in alternation, thereby causing periodic alternate flexing and recovery of the portions of said shim opposite said intervals and corresponding vibratory radial contraction and expansion of said resilient member toward and .away from the other member at a frequency determined by the mutual spacing and relative peripheral speed of said rollers.

18. In a sonic generator a roller bearing assembly for producing vibrations, which comprises inner and outer concentric members so mounted that one will be rotatable relative to the other, said members having portions providing mutually facing plain generally cylindrical bearing surfaces which define a circular path therebetween, and two rows of regularly spaced rollers and a thin resilient generally cylindrical shim held between said members and in said path, said rows of rollers being separated from each other by said shim and one row of rollers engaging each vbearing surface for rolling thereon actuated by the rotation of said rotatable member, said outer member being resilient for limited expansion and contraction in a radial direction toward and away from the inner member and for exerting pressure on said rollers and shim between said bearing surfaces, the size and mutual spacing of the rollersof each row being so chosen that during operation cf vsaid assembly the rollers of one row'will be all opposite at least some of the rollers of the other row at once and all opposite at least some of the intervals between rollers of said other row at once, in alternation, thereby causing periodic alternate iiexing and recovery of the portions'of said shim opposite said intervals and corresponding vibratory radial contraction and expansion of said outer member toward and away from Said inner member at/a frequency ydetermined'by the mutual spacing and relative peripheral speed of said rollers.

19. In a sonic generator a roller bearing assembly for producing vibrations, which com- Vby said shim and one row of rollers engaging each bearing surface for rolling thereon vactuated by the rotation of said inner member, 'said outer member being resilient and shrunk upon said inner member for limited expansion and contraction in a radial direction toward and away therefrom and for exerting pressure on said rollers and shim between said'bearing surfaces, the size Vand mutual spacing of the rollers of each row being so chosen that during operation of said assembly the rollers of one row will be all opposite at least some of the rollers of the other row at once and all opposite at least lsome of the Yintervals between rollers of said other row at once, in alternation, thereby causing periodic alternate nexing and recovery lof the portions of said shim opposite said intervals and corresponding vibratory radial contraction and expansion of said outer member toward and away from said inner member at a frequency determined by the mutual spacing and relative peripheral speed of said rollers.

GORDON C. SEAVEY. CAPERTON B. HORSLEY.

`REFLRENCES CITED The following references are of record Yin the 18 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2 163 649 Weaver June 27 1939 N D n .v a

lffmlga Russl'ln Dm @$1914 2,170,178 Wiluams 1111222.19311 1,125,083 Fitzgerald Jan. 19, 1915 212581130 Smlth Oct- 14' 1941 1,139,233 Seognamine May 11, 1915 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,148,294 Dean July 27, 1915 Number Comm,

Y Date 1,189,795 Dean my 4 1916 349,519 Germany Mar. 3, 1922 

